BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM Thank you for your interest in Pima Medical Institute s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) degree completion program. As a prospective student, we would like to provide you with some information regarding the program. This packet includes information on the following: general RN to BSN program description, program s mission, philosophy, goals/objectives, financial commitments, admissions process, curriculum, and frequently asked questions. Non-Discrimination Policy In compliance with Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, it is the policy of Pima Medical Institute not to discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, marital or parental status or disability in all of its educational and employment programs and activities, its policies, practices and procedures. RN to BSN Program Description The Pima Medical Institute (PMI) Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Completion program (RN to BSN program) of study is designed for Registered Nurses working in the profession to obtain a RN to BSN degree through an online learning platform. The program is enhanced by general education credits that enables the nurse generalist to expand their knowledge base and is aimed to prepare Associate Degree and Diploma nurse graduates for increased responsibility in an ever-evolving health care environment. The RN to BSN program of study focuses on theories, concepts, and principles important for development of nursing leadership and management knowledge, skills, and attitudes; evidencebased research analysis and utilization; and pertinent clinical, fiscal, legal, and political trends confronting healthcare and the nursing profession. The graduate will be prepared to assume roles requiring increased leadership capability and clinical responsibility in the delivery of care to diverse individuals, families, communities, and global populations. Mission Statement The mission of the RN to BSN Program at Pima Medical Institute is to prepare the nurse generalist to lead the transformation of professional nursing practice by developing critical assessment and thinking skills necessary to care for diverse patient populations. This Mission is accomplished through the integration of state-of-the art academics and technology with personal attention to each student s uniqueness to help prepare the nurse generalist for enhanced clinical leadership and formal career advancement. The curriculum is enhanced by general education credits that enable the nurse generalist to expand their knowledge base. Dedicated faculty facilitate a learning-centered environment focused on providing culturally competent care for diverse populations within the global community. 1
Program s Philosophy The philosophy of the RN to BSN Nursing Program is to offer quality nursing education that nurtures clinical reasoning; competent and compassionate care, and service-oriented nursing professionals who lead processes for developing better healthcare environments for healthcare consumers and the nursing profession. As educators, we believe in the worth, uniqueness, and potential of every human being and therefore promote in each nursing student a sense of self-worth, discovery and excellence by providing a student-centered nursing educational program that provides experiential learning activities relevant to the individual student. It is expected that the graduate will in turn believe in the worth, uniqueness, and potential of every person with whom they come in contact, whether as a participant in civic responsibilities or in service to others. It is the faculty s responsibility to offer a solid educational experience while the students accept responsibility for their learning. The faculty, students, and graduates represent their chosen field and must demonstrate strong ethical comportment and accountability with respect for human rights and dignity. In addition, they must be willing to grow within their profession to provide continued excellence in leadership and patient care through a personal commitment to self-directed life-long learning, awareness of changes and diversification occurring in the health care environment, and communication with the health care team and other professional organizations. Goals and Objectives The RN to BSN program has developed its mission, goals, and objectives to align with the mission of Pima Medical Institute and professional nursing standards and guidelines. The program and curriculum are dynamic to meet the continuously changing needs of the nursing profession and diverse patient population. To accomplish the mission of the nursing program, the nursing faculty has identified five goals for the nursing program. At the completion of the baccalaureate program, the graduate will be prepared to lead clinical, organizational, and professional transformation of nursing and healthcare. The nursing program will prepare the graduate nurse with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be: 1. Leaders and managers supporting integration of quality, safety, and technology throughout the healthcare milieu; 2. Collaborators, communicators, and decisions makers within complex healthcare organizations sustaining cognizance of legal, ethical, fiscal, and regulatory trends/issues; 3. Evaluators of Evidence-Based Literature aimed at research utilization to improve outcomes; 4. Promoters for health, wellness, and disease prevention for diverse individuals, families, populations and communities; and 5. Advocates for life-long learning, professional identity, and the all-encompassing nursing profession. 2
Student Learning Outcomes The programmatic student learning outcomes are performance indicators that provide evidence of the students achievement of the programmatic goals. Each objective documents student achievement of various milestones along the education pathway. The outcome milestones are used as an evaluative measurement to determine effectiveness of the education program and serve to guide maintenance or revision of various components of the nursing program. The programmatic Mission, Philosophy, Goals and Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes have been guided by the AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (AACN, 2008). Upon completion of the program, students will be able to: 1. Integrate nursing knowledge with the humanities, arts, and sciences as a foundation for effective clinical reasoning to support independent and interdependent decision making in the delivery of care to diverse individuals, families, communities, and populations. 2. Demonstrate leadership in promoting safe, quality care with a focus on continuous improvement within a variety of organizations and healthcare systems. 3. Utilize best current evidence from nursing and the sciences to support decision making, and disseminate/participate in nursing scholarship. 4. Integrate a variety of technologies to communicate, support, and provide safe quality care to individuals, families, communities and populations across the healthcare continuum. 5. Influence the allocation of health resources and reduce health disparities through practice and participation in the shaping of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments. 6. Foster open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision making by functioning effectively with patients/families, communities/populations, nursing colleagues, and interprofessional teams. 7. Utilize all levels of prevention to promote health and reduce disease/injury in individuals, families, communities, and populations in complex situations. 8. Assimilate professional, ethical, legal, and leadership principles consistent with that of a professional nurse in a dynamic healthcare system. 9. Provide competent nursing care to diverse individuals, families, communities, and populations in a variety of settings across the lifespan. Program Structure The RN to BSN program is presented over a period of 75 weeks. This period is divided into five (5) 15- week semesters consisting of 915 clock hours spent in the online classroom, online laboratories, and through experiential learning activities. The individual courses run for a 7.5 week period. There is a 3
twelve day recess between semesters. Grades for all courses completed and attempted are recorded on students permanent transcripts using the following grading system PMI does not award pass/fall grades: Grade Standing Percentage A Excellent 93-100% B Good 85-92% C Average 77-84% F Failing Below 77% INC Incomplete TR Transfer of Credit X Leave of Absence W Withdrawn T Terminated To academically progress each semester, students are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 and must complete their program within one and one-half (1 ½) times of the published length of the program measured in weeks. Students are monitored for academic progress at the end of each semester. Academic may also be impacted if a student receives a F (failing) grade in a course; this may occur if the particular course is a pre-requisite to another course that occurs later in the program. Students must complete all pre-requisite courses prior to moving on to subsequent courses. Required pre-requisite course information is included within the course descriptions for the RN-to BSN program in the PMI Catalog (p. 113-115). The RN to BSN degree completion program is designed to be taken in sequence as presented in the program outline however; flexibility is acceptable provided pre-requisite courses are taken in order. For example, CPT 301 (Microcomputer Applications) and ENG 310 (Technical Writing) courses must be taken prior to any other general education courses offered through Pima Medical Institute and prior to or concurrently with NUR 300 (Role Transition and Professional Development). The majority of the general education courses and 300 level nursing core courses must be completed prior to taking 400 level nursing core courses. Please refer to the PMI Course Catalog (p. 113-115) for pre-requisite requirements for any and all courses. In addition, NUR 475 (Community Oriented Nursing Practice and Global Health Issues) and NUR 480 (Nursing Leadership and Health Care Management) have been designed as culminating experiences and must be taken as the final two (2) courses in this program of study. Prior to attending any of the online courses offered in this program of study, the student must participate in a mandatory instructor-led online orientation to introduce the student to the online learning platform and technology tools utilized throughout the program. For each assigned hour of online activities, the student can anticipate an additional 2 hours for outside preparation and learning activities. These outside activities include but are not limited to; reading the assigned materials from the textbook and/or additional resources; conducting research to submit 4
substantive responses for each of the assigned discussion questions; and preparing written assignments. As an example, for a 3 credit theory course with 45 hours of online activities, one should anticipate an additional 90 hours of outside activities or homework for a total of 135 hours for the duration of the course. For a 7.5 week theory only course, this would mean approximately 18 hours of in-class and homework time per week for that particular course. Experiential Learning Activities There are experiential learning activities incorporated into many of the nursing courses. These experiential learning activities help to solidify student understanding of course material by applying concepts and promoting interaction with nurse leaders and other health professionals at the student s place of employment or at other healthcare settings secured by the student. Financial Commitments Finances are often high on a list of student concerns. Listed below are some of the anticipated expenses in the BSN program at Pima Medical Institute. All prices are estimated and fees are subject to change without notice. Estimated Costs per Calendar Year Tuition Application Fee Registration Fees\ Textbooks* Transfer Credit Transfer Fee** Total 2018 $20,658 $50 $300 $2,358 $150 $23,516 * Includes shipping and handling. In Arizona, includes Tax @ 8.1%. **Transfer of PMI credit is not subject to the transfer fee. Computer Requirements For all online courses, students must have access outside the campus setting to a computer with the following specifications: PC Dual core processor (Intel or AMD) 512 MB RAM * Recommended 1 GB High Speed Internet minimum 2,000 kbps connection Windows XP, Vista, or 7 Speakers (internal OR external) Printer CD/DVD Drive Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point - 2003 (or newer) MAC Power Mac OSX v10.6 (or better) High Speed Internet minimum 2,000 kbps connection Mac OS X Speakers (internal OR external) Printer CD/DVD Drive Pages, Spreadsheet, Presentation current version There are several requirements that you need to meet in order to successfully take an online course at Pima Medical Institute. Review the System Check 5
Library Access to Pima Medical Institute s online library is accessed through Blackboard; Admission Requirements The RN to BSN program is a degree completion program. Applicants must maintain an active and unencumbered license as a registered nurse and be employed as a registered nurse in order to be eligible for admission to the program. Admission to the program also requires that the applicant possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalency and complete a total of 60 semester credits of specific coursework at the postsecondary level. The 60 transfer credits shall consist of 45 nursing credits and 15 general education credits. Registered nurses who have successfully completed a nationally or regionally accredited Associate s degree Nursing program will receive a maximum of 45 semester credits for pre-licensure nursing course work. Graduates of a recognized Diploma school may be required to take additional lower division courses to meet the overall credits to graduate from the RN to BSN degree completion program. The following lower division courses must be transferred or completed prior to admission to the BSN program: English Composition, 3 credits; Biological Sciences (Anatomy and Physiology or Microbiology) 3 credits; Social Sciences (both Psychology and Sociology), 6 credits; and Mathematics, 3 credits. Furthermore, lower division general education courses numbered 100 or 200 may be eligible for up to 21 qualifying semester transfer credits and upper division general education courses numbered 300 or 400 may be eligible for up to 18 semester transfer credits provided a grade of C or better is achieved, course descriptions and content are similar to that of PMI courses, and courses fulfill an appropriate category in arts or foreign language, humanities, biological, physical & social sciences, written & oral communication, mathematics, and computer applications as determined through the official transcript review. Prior to attending any of the online courses offered in this program of study, the student must complete an Instructor-led online orientation to introduce the student to the online learning platform and technology tools utilized throughout the program. Frequently Asked Questions: 1. How many students are admitted into the program? A full program of study begins three times in a calendar year (i.e., January, May, August/September). 2. How many students are enrolled in each course? Pima Medical Institute accepts a maximum of 25 students in each course section. If there are more students interested in a particular course, additional sections of that course can be opened. 6
3. Is there a deadline to complete the admissions process? Qualified applicants are accepted on a first come, first served basis until the class is full. 4. Will my previous college credits transfer? You will be able to transfer credits to any Pima Medical Institute program if they are transferred from a nationally/regionally accredited institution; you received a grade of C or better; and the course is numbered 100 and above. The transferred credits are required to be a broad sampling of various educational experiences that satisfy accreditation standards. Refer to the catalog/program requirements for more specific information. Students requesting credit for previous education must submit official transcripts, course descriptions, and other supporting documentation as deemed appropriate by the Program Director. Credit can only be awarded for courses that meet the requirements mentioned above. Determination of transferable college credit will be decided on an individual basis by the Program Director. 5. Will credits from Pima Medical Institute transfer to another institution? Pima Medical Institute does not guarantee any transfer of credits; the transfer of credit is up to the receiving institution. Additionally, we have articulation agreements with several regionally accredited institutions for graduates seeking additional bachelor s or master s degrees. 6. Is Financial Aid available? Financial Aid is available to eligible students. Please contact your Admission Representative to schedule a Financial Aid appointment. 7. Is the program accredited? The RN to BSN program at Pima Medical Institute (PMI) is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and approved by the Arizona State Board for Private Post- Secondary Education. The RN to BSN program at PMI is also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) governed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). 9. How does online education work? Pima Medical Institute s online programs are taught asynchronously via the Internet, allowing for schedule flexibility to help students balance school, family, work and other personal commitments. These programs feature a rigorous curriculum and dedicated instructors and staff, just like Pima Medical Institute s ground campuses. Each online class is led by an instructor, and students are part of a virtual class of other students. View an instructional video about online learning at Pima Medical Institute. 10. What is the course schedule? Semesters begin on a Wednesday and courses run for 7 ½ weeks. 7
NUR 475 (Community Oriented Nursing Practice and Global Health Issues) and NUR 480 (Nursing Leadership and Healthcare Management) in the fourth and fifth semesters (respectively) of the RN to BSN Degree Completion Program runs for a full 15-week semester. 11. Will I be required to be online at a particular time? No, you do not need to be online at any specific time. You can access your class from any computer with an Internet connection, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 12. If I have an issue, where do I go for help? How soon can I expect a response? If a you have a question about course content or need extra help with the coursework, you should contact the instructor in that course. Instructors are available to provide personal feedback and oneon-one assistance to students. If additional instance is needed and/or concerns could impact course progression or program completion, then you should contact the Program Director. If you have other questions about books, financial aid, time management, etc. you can contact the online department and we will assist. You can expect a response within 24 hours. 13. If I decide that online education isn t for me, can I transfer to a ground location? No, there are no on ground equivalent programs at this time. 14. Will I have textbooks in the program? You will utilize textbook(s) for your ENG 310 (Technical Writing course), and this will be shipped to your home. You will utilize e-books for all of your other courses within the RN to BSN program. E-books will be accessible to you through your Blackboard courses. You will have the option to download your books offline utilizing VitalSource ; instructions for downloading books will be provided to you during your Microcomputer Applications (CPT 301) course. All textbooks/e-books are included within your original Enrollment Agreement. 15. Will Pima Medical Institute provide me with a computer? What about a tablet? No, a computer will not be provided; You will be personally responsible for ensuring that you have regular access to a Computer throughout the program. You will need to have your own computer or regular access to a computer with Internet access to complete coursework. Yes, you will be provided with a tablet during your first semester, when taking the Microcomputer Applications (CPT 301) course. The tablet will be mailed to you mid-way through the CPT 301 course. You will need to ensure you have Internet access to complete all coursework. The tablet is included in the nursing program tuition and fee schedule so you can access Blackboard, the online learning management system, and e-books. 16. Do I have to come to campus? No, you don t have to come to a physical campus location while enrolled in an online program at Pima Medical Institute. You must log-in to your virtual classrooms by specified times/deadlines indicated by the individual course Instructor. You must also uphold the attendance policy outlined in all course syllabi. 8